A bifurcating pathway directs abscisic acid effects on stomatal closure and opening in Arabidopsis

Science. 2006 Apr 14;312(5771):264-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1123769.

Abstract

Terrestrial plants lose water primarily through stomata, pores on the leaves. The hormone abscisic acid (ABA) decreases water loss by regulating opening and closing of stomata. Here, we show that phospholipase Dalpha1 (PLDalpha1) mediates the ABA effects on stomata through interaction with a protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) and a heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein (G protein) in Arabidopsis. PLDalpha1-produced phosphatidic acid (PA) binds to the ABI1 PP2C to signal ABA-promoted stomatal closure, whereas PLDalpha1 and PA interact with the Galpha subunit of heterotrimeric G protein to mediate ABA inhibition of stomatal opening. The results reveal a bifurcating signaling pathway that regulates plant water loss.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Abscisic Acid / metabolism*
  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis / physiology*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Phosphatidic Acids / metabolism
  • Phospholipase D / chemistry
  • Phospholipase D / genetics
  • Phospholipase D / metabolism*
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / genetics
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / metabolism
  • Plant Leaves / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Transgenes
  • Water / metabolism

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • GPA1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits
  • Phosphatidic Acids
  • Water
  • Abscisic Acid
  • ABI1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases
  • Phospholipase D